Crowded field for open council seat

STOCKTON - There appears to be no shortage of people interested in filling a vacant seat on the City Council, despite Stockton's agenda dominated by some pretty heavy items.

Scott Smith

STOCKTON - There appears to be no shortage of people interested in filling a vacant seat on the City Council, despite Stockton's agenda dominated by some pretty heavy items.

The one-two punch of bankruptcy and record high crime hasn't scared them away; it's drawn candidates out in large numbers.

So far, 13 people have taken out papers to fill the District 5 seat on the council vacated by Susan Eggman's win in November's election, sending her to the state Assembly.

"It's time to step up and be a part of our city," said Don Aguillard, one of the potential candidates. "It's about helping our city rebuild and grow."

City Clerk Bonnie Paige held a workshop Wednesday, where she explained the responsibilities of a Stockton council member and how to apply. District 5 is in south-central Stockton and has 49,000 residents.

It's not too late to apply. Eligible candidates need to fill out their applications by 5:30 p.m. next Thursday at the City Clerk's Office. Paige urged candidates not to wait until last minute.

The council members elected in November - Moses Zapien and Michael Tubbs - along with Mayor-elect Anthony Silva will be sworn in Jan. 8. Immediately upon taking office, the council will begin interviewing the candidates in a public process.

The council - including Paul Canepa, Elbert Holman and Kathy Miller - will vote that night or the next day, filling the vacant seat.

Robert Hong said he thinks he's the right person for the job. He has served on the city's Planning Commission and was a general partner at Stockton's Hilton when it went through bankruptcy and emerged a healthy enterprise.

"The city's going through a lot of problems," Hong said. "I see a bright future ahead."

Christina Fugazi, a teacher at Venture Academy and a member of the Planning Commission, said she's propelled into seeking the council seat after hearing too many of her students say they don't want to live here.

The city has a lot to offer outside of crime and bankruptcy, she said.

"It gets clouded over by some of these issues," she said. "I have faith in the city and the people of Stockton. We can bring back Stockton to its glory."

Gary Malloy, a regular at the City Council meetings, is the only candidate to have filled out his application and file it with the city.

"I think I have the insight to help," Malloy said. "I've got just as good a chance as anybody else."

Crime and bankruptcy didn't compel LaCresia Hawkins to seek a council seat. She'd like to tackle the underlying issues driving them, starting with inequality in Stockton.

"Everyone doesn't have the same opportunities," she said. "That's part of the problem."

Dyane Burgos, a social worker finishing up law school at the Humphreys College Laurence Drivon School of Law, said she too wants to be part of the solution. Burgos attended the workshop and said she was impressed by the quality of potential candidates in the room.

"I love Stockton," she said. "I think this would be a good time to help rebuild."